2 new queens in the same hive

[Helen]

Hello. This is my first year keeping bees, so learning lots, but still have loads of questions.

I have 3 Dartington hives. In one of the hives, I combined 2 small colonies in Late July/early august. During the combining, the queen was killed (1 colony was queenless). They raised a new queen in August and she is now laying well. However, they more recently raised more queen cells, and one hatched. There are now 2 queens, about 5 weeks difference in age, in the same hive.

I understand about superceedure of old queens, but both these queens are very young.

What options do I have? I can leave them alone and do nothing of course. But could I also split out a small nuc into the other side of the Dartington Hive and overwinter them both? Or are there other options.

And my other question is ... why do you think they raised a daughter so quickly after the first queen (who is laying well) was raised?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Supersedure can happen with young queens as well as old - maybe the first 'new' queen didn't mate that well, or her laying isn't up to scratch - looks pretty much like the bees aren't happy with her so they've tried again - if they are both living side by side, leave well alone - the bees will sort it all out. I'ts time for winter preparations now not inspections.
In my view you only have one option - leave them to it!

 

[Erichalfbee]

In my view you only have one option - leave them to it!